A/N: Hey guys! I missed you alllllllllllllll~ Sorry I kept you waiting so long.

Gladius sneezed as soon as he entered the study room. He frowned internally. "You don't need the older volumes you don't read anymore." The taller male picked up a musty leather bound book, thicker than a dictionary. He blew on the dust and chuckled when he read the title Pirating for Novices.

Law gestures at the cramped space. "Why would I? Most of my collection is invaluable. Doflamingo buys them without blinking. I could imagine I have enough to feed my hometown for a decade or two."

"I suppose so, if not more."

"Feel free to borrow anything." The tanned male smiled fondly.

"I'm not the reading type."

He shrugged as he placed his dinner on the desk. He was feeling uncertain and nervous every passing moment. His uncertainty only increased doubt. It was time to initiate one of his minor plans. If he couldn't appeal to Gladius, he'd have no chance against Vergo. The question was where to begin..? For one, Gladius is a reserved individual with a hot temperament, it was hard to tell if Law could ever gain his favor.

The older male ceased his steps and crossed his arms a few feet away from the well-polished wood. "I take it were having business."

Law bit his lip nervously. Gladius wasn't questioning, he was accusing. The raven-haired male gave himself a second to gain composure before facing the officer. He was nonchalant while replying with well-rehearsed smoothness. "Casual business."

Gladius inspected the warm smile law flashed his way. He felt how practiced yet genuine the expression was. His shoulders relaxed and he had to suppress a smile when he noticed Law's relief as well. Despite the evident dispersing tension, Law kept his hands hidden behind his back, an awkward position; a sign of nervousness.

"Do you want to sit down?" He suggested.

"No, no." The teen refused vehemently.

"Alright." The older male inclined his head forward. "What is it?"

"We've been friends for a long time, right?"

Gladius took his time answering the teen. He studied the tanned male. His eyes narrowed behind his dark tinted glasses. Law was a piece of work that left him anticipating his next sentence. "I guess…" He murmured.

"Long enough for you to do me a favour?" Law had little to no idea what his intense gaze was doing to the taller male. He resisted the urge to bite into his lip. Gladius would sense his nervousness right away.

The impulse didn't go past his watch. "Long enough."

"I would never ask you if I had another option. Vergo isn't exactly our friend." Law watched as Gladius' irritation slowly came into focus.

"What about him?" He scowled openly and glared at Law. "I hate that asshole."

I know. Law smirked. One of his favourite things about Gladius was his strong dislike for Vergo. You could say besides Law, Vergo's favourite to torment when they were younger was Gladius. Their friendship was formed because of their mutual dislike for the older male. They still have a little hate club together, Gladius being the vice-president. "I've said I want my own crew but Doflamingo won't listen, not even to Vergo."

"And what would my word do for you?" Gladius snorted. "I'm barely an officer, my word counts for next to nothing." He felt bad for the teen. If only he had more of a status. Doflamingo promoted him, yes. However that didn't mean the warlord held him in high regard, no, it just meant he saw potential.

Law stepped right into the older male's personal space. "He respects you as much as anyone else." Gladius' expression alone was enough. The raven-haired male knew his words wouldn't sink in. He never wanted to use this method. He always felt like a cheap whore afterwards, however it was his strongest form of persuasion. Men, women, straight, gay, it didn't matter. They all wanted him when he was willing. Law was good with words, even better with his body. Doflamingo trained him so.

"Even then, I wouldn't. I wouldn't help you escape. I know the price to be paid many times better than you do and I will not pay it." The taller male said firmly despite the gimmicks the smoky eyed male placed on his beating heart. He grabbed one of Law's wrists within his hand, he carefully examined the tanned skin.

"Why would I escape? All I want to do is carry my own weight." Law's intrigue reached its peak. He wanted to know what emotions were swimming in the taller male's eyes since the minute his tone of voice took on a different edge.

Without thinking, he stood on the tip of his toes and removed Gladius' glasses with his free hand.

The older male snorted. That smooth dulcet tone could fool anyone, anyone but him. Gladius wasn't much of an idiot. While Law liked them well enough, he hated pirates in general, this was known. "You could fool anyone."

Law's eyes narrowed as he stared into honey hued irises visible with humor. "Anyone?" He smiled despite knowing the older male was only humouring him.

"Almost."

Law shrugged before placing the glasses in his pocket, single handed.

Gladius silently stared at him with confused amusement. "I will be getting those back, right?"

"Of course." The teen smirked. "And I'm not planning to escape. I just have my own ambitions." His smirk only widened. "Escape? You make me sound like a captive."

Gladius ignored the captive comment. He knew the teen was trying to make light of his situation but you could say Law was indeed a captive. It wasn't always this way; after all, Doflamingo had little to no interest in Trafalgar until a few years ago. That's when everything changed for him. Maybe if he wasn't so damn enigmatic, a few years from now and they would have been officers together.

He pressed Law's wrist against the pulse in his neck. "Hear that? We're alive."

"We are." The tanned male tried to read his companion. It was an odd thing for Gladius to say. "We're very much alive."

The taller male closed his eyes and breathed deeply before opening then again. "And it will stay that way as long as we follow him." Donquixote Doflamingo was a lifetime commitment, that or death.

Law appraised the firm belief in those eyes and knew he had lost before he'd gain anything. "I've done nothing to betray Donquixote-ya."

"Not yet." Gladius shrugged. "I don't want to know what you're planning, but I want no part in your downfall."

Law cocked a brow. How transparent had he become? It seemed as if everyone was aware of his bitter desire to be freed of his birdcage. Many people have seen through his smile and words as of late; he needed to be more cautious. If they could, that meant a certain blonde warlord would have no problem doing the same.

"Doflamingo has shown you mercy on multiple occasions. You've gotten away with things I or anyone else would lose an arm for even worse, a slave would die for. So why are you trying to defy him? He won't be so lenient after this stunt." Gladius gripped Law's wrist tightly. "You are smarter than that Law." He let go of the tanned male. "I'll ignore this conversation and act as if it never happened."

He was losing Gladius every passing second and it was frustrating. Law already knew his success rate was low but he hadn't expected to be shot down so quickly. He gave no clues to his actual intent yet the older male already knew. "I thought we were friends." The teen blurted out before Gladius could think to turn and walk away.

The taller male smiled wryly. Of course Law would try to gulf him. To his chagrin, he'd have to admit it was enough to keep him rooted in place. "We are."

"Then help me." Law pleaded. "It's not much. All you have to do is side with Vergo on this." The teen cringed when Gladius looked at him with a pained expression.

"I can't do that."

Law squeezed the taller male's shoulder. He could see the inner turmoil playing within the honey eyes; sworn loyalty to Doflamingo or a strong friendship strengthened throughout the years. "It's not so hard."

Gladius squeezed the hand on his shoulder and chuckled. "You're so determined and naïve. Vergo may want to rid the ship of you and so may you as well but I don't. You won't be any happier or better off then now, no matter where you go."

"You know nothing about my happiness." The teen snapped.

Gladius ruffled the raven strands fondly. "You can't tell me you aren't. Did you get into another fight with Vergo? It's a stupid reason to run away. Let's say you did manage to get away, he would find you… One day or another you know that."

Law blinked. "I'm not running away nor am I escaping. I thought we established this already."

"I'm not an idiot and I thought we were friends." Gladius scowled.

"We are, no need to feel irritated." Law paused for a moment. "I have an ally." He said smugly.

"Who? Crocodile?" Gladius laughed obnoxiously.

"Who knows?" Law wasn't a bit phased by Gladius' response. He knew he could count on Crocodile when it came down to it.

"I know which one of us is the idiot now." The taller male placed his hands on the teen's shoulders. "Don't get involved with him. There's history with Doffy, you don't want to find yourself in that mess."

"I know about it." Law lied smoothly.

"Really?" He said skeptically. "Then you're aware that he's using you to get back at Doflamingo?"

"Minor details." He waved dismissively. Gladius just did him a favor without realizing it. Now he could ask Crocodile about his past with Doflamingo.

Gladius gave the teen's shoulder another squeeze. "You're okay with being used?"

He closed his eyes when the taller male squeezed his shoulders again. The warm hands felt so nice. Wasn't he always being used? By Vergo? By Doflamingo? It didn't matter who anymore.

"What?" Gladius shot the teen a confused expression.

Law rolled his shoulders. "That feels nice."

Oh. The older male been kneading the tense muscles with purpose. "Stressed out from your escape plans?"

"What escape plans?" Law smirked. He had no idea he'd been so stressed. The past few days were stressful he guessed. The teen hasn't spoken to Crocodile in days. They had a disagreement or two. After this, he'd go find him. It was petty to ignore the warlord when he was the only one concerned about Law's predicament. His stiff shoulders began relaxing under the taller male's expertise.

"Have you been alright?" Gladius' concerned tone reached his ears.

"I don't know." He admitted before pressing his forehead against the taller male's chest.

"You're way too tense for a kid…" Gladius trailed off.

"That does nothing all day?" Law finished his sentence for him. He smiled, still not bothering to open his eyes. He would have reminded the taller male that he was only a few years older than him but changed his mind. It was okay for him to feel older, after all, he was a commanding officer.

"You work hard, in your own way."

"I work very hard, that's why I can save your life or end it at anytime."

"Ahh…how could I forget that you're our little Surgeon of Death."

The tanned male rolled his eyes. That silly nickname didn't fit him at all.

Doflamingo had given it to him a few months after his sixteenth birthday when he first had the courage to stand up to Vergo. It felt amazing at the time, if only he had known what it meant to hurt Vergo's pride. "Because I'm not."

The taller male chuckled. "I still remember what you told him."

"Another word and I'll slice you into so many pieces, that even I couldn't put you together again, if I felt like it, that is."

His new powers had given him a false confidence. Those few months he felt invincible, just learning what he could do with that power. It was stupid. He'd gotten so riled up, when Doflamingo convinced him he could take Vergo's head. He tried to. Vergo thrashed him so badly. Broken bones, broken confidence, and broken spirit. The only thing his blonde said was maybe next time Law.

There was never a next time. Vergo proved time and time again he'd be weak and defenceless against the savage.

"I thought he was going to kill you but then again you're Vergo's favorite. He always been easier on you." Gladius' talented hands glided across the teen's shoulders and towards his neck.

He had to laugh. Vergo's favourite? That was his favourite inside joke. If he was Vergo's favourite, then he'd also be the next pirate king. Everyone thought Vergo enjoyed spending time with him. If only Law didn't have his pride as a man. Maybe he would've told his friends what it meant to be the man's favourite. "That's debatable. I also thought I was going to die." Those words, his empty threat… he found solace in them ever so often. He liked to remember the time he didn't feel helpless.

Law's eyes snapped open when he felt a gentle squeeze on his neck. He tried to breath and struggled. It was so hard to breathe.

"Law?" The tanned male's crushing grip on his fingers placed him on alert.

"Don't touch my neck, please?" He took slow, deep breaths trying to regulate his breathing.

"Sorry." The taller male slid his hands down to the tense shoulders and set to work on relaxing the muscles again however even after a few minutes Law was still tight lipped and rigid. "Why are you scared?"

The raven-haired male rose a brow. "Scared of what? I just hate when people touch my neck so suddenly."

"Why?"

"I just do." Law tried his best not to remember certain memories, his very best yet various scenarios played out in his head, moments he wished he could forget.

Gladius shrugged and dropped his hands to his side, not buying Law's reason. He wanted to keep his hands on the stormy eyed male but he knew better than to make someone uncomfortable for his own selfish reasons. "What makes you want to leave?"

"Will you consider helping me if I give you a satisfying reason?"

"Depends on the reason."

Law sighed quietly. He was back to square one again. He had a long way to go before he could say that he was a master of composure. If anything the atmosphere was perfect before he ruined it. Never mind, he could worry about that later. Gladius gave him another chance to prove his point verbally. He was going to grab the opportunity.

"Am I human?"

"Of course you are." The taller male answered without hesitation.

"Then why don't I have the same rights as you? I hardly feel human."

Gladius smiled wistfully, his heart not in it. He really did feel sorry for Law. He couldn't imagine being stuck in the same place for so long. "I'm not Doflamingo's infamous lover, you are. If any of his enemies caught you what do you think would happen? You forget that we're pirates, disgusting pirates. They'd do things you couldn't imagine. There'd be no mercy, no swift death in combat as my fate would have it." He was glad the teen came to him. Even though he couldn't help him the way he wanted, Gladius could still change his mind and keep him alive for another day. "Law they would torture you and possibly violate you just because of your role in Doflamingo's life. Everyone knows his weakness is you, everyone but you and him apparently. He protects you from himself which is why you are restricted, for your own good."

"But—"

"Do you think he's scared that you'll run? He can find you by tomorrow if he wanted to. He thinks it's impossible or you to leave him. Doesn't he give you everything you could ever want? Look at all these books for god's sake! He spoils you like a princess and you want to leave?"

"I'm aware it's dangerous. I want for nothing as you've said, nothing materialistic." Law bit his tongue before he could say anything he'd regret.

Their words were getting more and more heated.

"I can however take care of myself. All my training with Vergo hasn't been for naught. I can use my devil fruit offensively."

Gladius looked at the teen skeptically. "Offensively? Weren't you given it because of its medical advantages?"

"Of course but there's other uses. I am capable of defending myself." Law scoffed.

"Not from everyone. Can you stop Vergo from pushing you around?" Gladius took the solemn look on Law's face for a no. "There's worse out there, much stronger. You're not the only devil fruit user either. I've had mine longer than you. Have you seen a logia yet?"

"I haven't."

"Crocodile. Ask him to show you his."

Trafalgar Law stood there in silence. And here he thought he'd stop being reckless. Even Gladius knew more about Crocodile than he did.

"You didn't know, did you?" Gladius shook his head. "Do you know anything about him? His name is Crocodile for a reason."

"I know enough."

Gladius shrugged. "You say you're capable in combat? I'll take your side if you can put Vergo in his place. I'll even have a few others agree to your departure as well."

Law was screaming on the inside. If Gods existed they wanted him to die in an ugly fashion. Challenge Vergo in this lifetime? It wasn't possible.

"And how would I go about putting him in his place?" Sarcasm dripped heavily in his voice.

Gladius ignored that. "Figure it out yourself." He knew it was an impossible task which is why he suggested it in the first place. If Law did get away on the account of his word to Doflamingo, he and whoever else involved would face the repercussions of Trafalgar Law's actions. He was doing them all a favour, even Law.

Crocodile frowned as he drained the fine cognac from his glass. Its bitter sweet flavour couldn't compare to his favourite spiced rum but it would do. If only he hadn't killed his cache with Penguin. He was very fond of the teen and spent most of his time with him as of late. In fact he spent the las hour waiting for the youth. He sighed as he leaned into the sofa and crossed his legs. Of course most of their time together revolved around discussing Trafalgar Law, however today would be different. Today, he was going to focus on Penguin. There was still much to learn about raven-haired male. If everything went well, he'd have plenty of time to unravel the mystery which is Law, he couldn't say the same for Penguin. After everything was said and done he would probably never see the brightness in the teen's eyes again. That's what it meant to be a pirate.

A polite knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. He's very familiar with that knock. "Come in."

He watched the teen walk towards him, slightly out of breath and smiled. "You ran here again?"

"Kind of." Penguin plopped onto the sofa and breathed deeply.

Crocodile poured himself another drink. He took small sips while waiting for Penguin to catch his breath and share his story. "Who was chasing you this time? Monet?"

"No." He laughed. "That was yesterday. This bounty hunter joined us a few days ago, remember?"

"Hm… the woman?" Bounty hunter, huh? He never understood why they always seemed to switch sides. Crocodile gestured at the empty glass on the coffee table sitting beside his own. "Have a drink."

"Thanks." He hummed contently as he poured some brandy into his glass. "Yes her, you remembered."

Crocodile glanced over at his companion. "How could I not? She was loud and obnoxious. She'll probably die before us both."

Penguin grinned and shrugged. Crocodile didn't like her. "There was a small incident—she thought I was looking up her skirt—I really wasn't! Women are stupid anyways so she thought I was and she started swinging her battle axe, that's when I bolted."

The warlord's rich laughter filled the room. "Are you sure you didn't?"

"O-of course not! I wouldn't do that!" He sputtered. "She's a crazy gorilla!" He exclaimed.

The teen made tons of hand gestures all meaning no or flying chickens. Crocodile wasn't sure but he laughed anyways. "She's easy on the eyes." He rarely encountered female bounty hunters but for the most part they were average. He has crossed a handful of beauties though, if only he didn't have to kill them.

Penguin looked down, allowing his bangs to cover his face. He was a tad embarrassed and a little red in the face. "She's a tyrant." The only response he heard was the pouring of alcohol into a glass and then another. He looked up from under his bangs just in time to see the older male fill his glass half way. "Thank you."

"Hmm" Crocodile hummed in response. He reached for Penguin's glass and then for his own. "How's Bellamy doing?"

Penguin graciously accepted his glass and answered before drinking. "He's okay."

"And yourself?"

"Okay, I guess." He shrugged, liquid burning all the way down his throat and onward.

Crocodile appraised the teen when his attention seemed to be elsewhere. "You guess?" Penguin was more distracted than usual.

"Because…" He chewed on his bottom lip. "Law hasn't left his study since this morning."

"I've heard, among other things." The taller male murmured. "I believe that's my fault. We might have an ongoing disagreement. A petty one, yet he still spites me.

"Um… have you heard anything else?"

Did he ever. Doflamingo's crew gossiped like a group of old ladies. He heard so many things he didn't care to know. One of those things were about Law. The crew had diverse opinions about the teen. Some like Penguin and Bellamy loved him, others hated him and most were jealous. There was plenty of resentment and envy; Doflamingo did Trafalgar Law no favours. If it weren't for his few friends Law would have been isolated with the exception of Vergo and his blonde friend. "He's with Gladius."

Penguin blinked and then he blinked again. "What?"

Crocodile poured another shot and quickly downed it, his glass hitting the table slightly louder than before. "Negotiating his freedom, confined to that one room for hours. If you asked me how that works or what they're doing, I wouldn't know. I'm sure it was Trafalgar's idea."

"Ah…" He whispered awkwardly. He didn't know what to say.

He glanced at the warlord from the corner of his eyes. Crocodile didn't look too happy. Then again, he couldn't grasp the whole situation. "Are you okay?"

The older male chuckled. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"All of this." Penguin gestured lamely.

"This hasn't been the vacation that Doflamingo promised." Crocodile paused. "However, it could be worse. I've enjoyed my time aboard your ship."

"You like him, right?" The teen asked after his third glass.

The warlord stood up. "Well enough."

"Hm?" Penguin looked up at the outreached hand in question.

"Remember? You wanted to dance." Crocodile had wanted to dance with the youth since that night. He still remembered the faint blush on the teen's face. He must be drunk.

"I didn't really! Monet wanted to. You could tell by the way she was looking at you." Penguin grasped Crocodile's hand anyways. The warlord wouldn't take no for an answer. He really didn't want to dance. Penguin sighed. He didn't know how to dance.

The taller male chuckled as he pulled the pouting teen to his feet. "The idea of dancing with me that bad?"

"No." Penguin answered too quickly. He felt Crocodile's hand on the small of his back. Unfortunately for Penguin, placing his hand on the taller male's shoulder was out of the question. He reached out gingerly and grabbed Crocodile's upper arm.

Crocodile couldn't help but grin. "Then what is it?" He squeezed the teen's hand and led him into a simple two step. "Can you dance, Penguin?" He murmured above his head.

"N-no—somewhat..what…"

"Follow my lead."

Afternote: So I know there's a lot of dialogue in this chapter, less sexing and slooooooooooooowwww plot buttttttt shit on the other hand the next chapter, I shall be servicing you good lads and lassies with some Crocodile and Penguin. I know some of you love the two together lelelel(Tbh I don't think that involves them banging). Also, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVERRRR, we get to know what our favorite blonde warlord has been doing this whole time. so yay for that.

AND PLS REVIEW YOU LAZY ASSES. How am I supposed to stay motivated when y'all don't tell me what you think?!